MATTHEW RICHARDSON’S TOP 10: AFL shouldn’t be playing GWS-Bulldogs game in Ballarat and Isaac Heeney on fire

1. There’s a fair bit of noise around this idea of a wildcard round starting in 2025.

I am not a fan as I have previously written in this column as it’s basically just two more elimination finals with seventh against tenth and eighth against ninth. That’s more than half of the teams playing finals. If you are not good enough after 23 games that’s it, game over. The season is too long as it is. If this goes ahead a team could potentially have to play 28 games to win the flag. That’s simply too much footy.

2. I have nothing against games in regional venues, but the AFL will never again schedule a game like the Bulldogs against GWS for the final at MARS stadium in Ballarat.

This will be a game with serious finals ramifications. It probably should have been played on a Friday night on Channel 7 at Marvel. There’s no lights at MARS.

3. With all my emotions going into Dusty’s retirement last week I forgot to acknowledge the retirement of a certain Hall of Famer in Tom Hawkins.

A crucial part of the unbelievable culture at the Cattery for 18 seasons. He is the ultimate team player and the most unselfish key forward of his generation. What a quality human as well.

4. Watching Steele Sidebottom quell young star Errol Gulden last Friday night tells me the veteran should play on in 2025.

There’s plenty of run left in the old pins.

5. I watched a lot of football over the last 14 years as a broadcaster and I don’t ever take it for granted.

I’m very lucky to have the job I do. I can’t remember seeing a better quarter than what Isaac Heeney produced against Collingwood. Craig McRae said as much in his post-game presser. Heeney did absolutely everything. I am happy to be pointed to a better quarter but doubt I could be.

6. A quick shoutout to Raygun our 36-year-old breakdancing Olympian.

How good was her Kangaroo move? You’re my hero Raygun. It will be the last we see of her at an Olympic level unfortunately as breakdancing isn’t slated for LA in 2028. She didn’t deserve the pasting she got online but that’s the world we live in.

7. Momentum shifts in footy are the great challenge for coaches at the moment.

Both GWS and the Swans kicked the last five goals in their games to mount thrilling come-from-behind wins. What tools can a coach come up with to stop these momentum swings? It beats me as the 6-6-6 rule has made it hard to stop teams on a roll. The AFL would be pleased with this.

8. If someone had told me 12 months ago Tristan Xerri could be the All-Australian ruck man in 2024 I would have said take a deep breath.

He’s going well in a tough crowd featuring Gawn, English, Grundy and co. Despite the fierce competition I think he is a big chance of being chosen as the league’s best ruckman at season’s end. He had an incredible game against the Eagles in Hobart last Saturday. Just insane numbers.

9. When you get something wrong you need to be held accountable.

I wrote in late June that Essendon, Collingwood and Carlton would finish in the top four. It’s looking like none of them will play finals. I’ve been aptly reminded by the faithful online of my predictions falling flat. The feedback is appreciated.

10. How good are the Hawks to watch?

Hawkball it’s being called. I would now back them against any team at the MCG on a nice day with the pace they have. They can definitely play finals now. With the competition as even as it is why couldn’t they go deep in September?